In pics: Indian Navy exercise with US Navy and Japan Marines during 'Ex-Malabar 2018'

Malabar Exercise begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, Japan became a permanent partner in 2015

Malabar 2018

Malabar 18 Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri, Shakti and Kamorta of the Eastern Fleet taking part in sea phase of Ex Malabar 18.

US Navy forces

Malabar exercises take place along with US Navy forces and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 11 to 16 June 2018

Western Pacific

It takes off the island of Guam in the Western Pacific. The Indian Navy will be represented by the two indigenously designed and built ships, the multi-purpose stealth frigate INS Sahyadri and Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette.

Diverse range of activities

A diverse range of activities take place when the exercise was conducted.Indian navy willbe represented by INS Kamorta as Fleet Tanker INS Shakti and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I

Activities

Joint manoeuvres

The US Navy forces will include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan with its air wing; two Ticonderoga class cruisers, USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville.

Inter-operability

Joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures are included as part of the sea phase to improve inter-operability. Two Arleigh Burke class destroyers, USS Benfold and USS Mustin; a Los Angeles-class attack submarine and one Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8A also included.

Three navies

Malabar exercises shares the best practices between the three navies. The JMSDF would be represented by a Hyuga class helicopter carrier JS Ise with integral helicopters.